The Haunted Highwayman Inn

THE HAUNTED HIGHWAYMAN INN

The Highwayman Inn, Dartmoor, is a mystical delight built in 1282 and sitting in a hefty chunk of the Devon countryside. The misty moors of Dartmoor is where Arthur Conan Doyle became inspired to write "Hound of the Baskervilles'. The Inn could not be situated in a more spooky setting and is a deserving holder of the 'most unusual pub in England' award. It's an absolute Aladdin's cave of 'take you back in time' curios. It has to be haunted right? Right.

The Highwayman was originally called, 'The Golden Fleece' until Buster Jones took over the run down Inn in 1959 and turned it into the fairytale setting it is today. He also threw in nautical themes, one of which would become responsible for most of the hauntings. Buster's wife, Rita renamed the inn 'The Highwayman' due to her fascination with the misty moors and romantic notions of highwaymen hiding there at various times throughout the centuries. Three well known highwaymen who worked the area were, Fowley, Huggins and Creber.

I recently visited the Inn as my brother lives about five miles away. It's an incredible place with all the nooks and crannies and original tree root ceilings. 

Although it is known to be haunted by sailors connected to the door in the Galleon Bar, I also learned that after a seance, it was found to be occupied by a ghost called, Samuel who had fled from a battle in his lifetime - taking refuge at the inn. Even after his death, he chooses not to leave the inn. The ghost of Samuel, dressed in green and with a feather in his hat has been seen walking through the walls.

The picture below is called, 'the hideaway' and can be reached after you take a step down from the lounge area:

In the picture below is the Galleon Bar where most of the hauntings take place. The door, Buster got his hands on and erected at the far end of the bar, once belonged to the ship, 'Diana' and is believed to be the cause of the paranormal occurrences. In 1866, 13 members of the ship's crew died when the vessel was trapped in Arctic ice waters. When the surviving members of the crew finally managed to free the vessel, they sailed it back to the coast of Shetland.

It is not just people who can haunt a place, objects are also to blame.

Buster's daughter carries on the family legacy and is the current landlord of the Inn. I intend to visit this magical place again very soon and this time, take a bed for the night. Would you sleep over?

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